The scandal involving Russian billions which has enveloped Danske Bank reinforces the need for banks to have stringent due diligence procedures in place for identifying sources of clients’ funds

There are huge opportunities in servicing families with a global footprint, from managing their assets through to educating the next generation in financial matters 

Hong Kong’s connectivity will be key to opening up the wider region to international clients and markets, believes Marina Lui, head of China business at UBS Wealth Management

Many European banks have struggled to make headway in Asia but Mike Blake, who runs UBP’s operations in the region, is in expansionary mood

Private banks active in Asia must contend with turbulent markets and ongoing recruitment problems in their quest to forge deeper relationships with clients

Family offices across Asia are building networks of like-minded individuals in order to swap ideas and find investment partners   

It remains difficult to differentiate between private banks and what they offer clients. In a fragmented marketplace, the rewards for those players able to get their branding strategy right could be considerable 

Carrying out a thorough due diligence check before taking on clients can help protect a private bank’s brand, but if a mistake is made, it is always best to admit it